Porsche - News

News

Press Releases

Famous Porsche racing models make rare appearance at Porsche Centre Doha to celebrate five year anniversaryLegendary Porsche Museum Classics visit Doha


Doha. Classic automobile lovers in Doha were in for a treat. Some of the most famous racing models ever built, including Porsche’s first car designed for motorsport more than half a century ago, made a rare public appearance on the 12th and 13th of February to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Porsche Centre Doha under the management of Al Boraq Automobiles Co. wll .

The cars were being flown to Doha from their permanent home at the state-of-the-art Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, where they are displayed among 80 rare and historical vehicles. The exhibition of the seven sports heritage highlights was initiated to highlight Porsche’s DNA and exceptional engineering skills.

Following the timeline, the first exhibited model was the famous 550 Spyder 1954 "Carrera Panamericana", which launched six decades of Porsche motorsport history and gave birth to the famous Carrera marque. It earned its now legendary nickname with a stunning performance in the Carrera Panamericana, the toughest road race in the world at that time.

The star of the show for many was undoubtedly the 1971 Porsche 917 KH Coupé which has a prominent place in the manufacturer’s impressive racing history. The 917 KH Porsche claimed its first ever overall win at Le Mans in 1970 when drivers Hans Herrmann and Richard Atwood crossed the finish line after completing 343 laps. This debut was followed by 15 further overall victories in the world’s most prestigious endurance race, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

In 1973 the iconic 917 Porsche dominated the 200 miles “Canadian-American Championships” series, known as CanAm championships. It is the strongest racecar ever raced in a round-circuit race event until today. The further evolved twelve cylinders were producing 1,100 horsepower with 5.4 liter engine displacement leading the team to an overall victory with first, second and third position.

Joining the classic line-up in Doha was a 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7. This model is often regarded as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It has the same engine as the legendary 911 Carrera RS 2.7 with the famous ducktail, but its body comes from the G model introduced in 1974 and features the characteristic safety bumpers.

Sharing the Open Day stage was a 936 Spyder which ranks among the most successful Porsche racing cars of all time. Developed specifically for the World Sports Car Championship, the 936 became the first turbo engine Porsche to win at Le Mans three times (1976, 1977, 1981).

Porsche reached another racing milestone in 1984 when René Metge won the famous Paris-Dakar in a Porsche 911 specifically modified for this gruelling challenge. It was the first Porsche 911 with four-wheel drive and thus the predecessor of the Carrera 4 was also a part of this unique display.

Another highlight for automotive enthusiasts was the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 which completed the line-up in the showroom. This car marked the manufacturer’s 50th anniversary in style by scoring a double victory at Le Mans in 1998. Powered by a six-cylinder Boxer Turbo engine with a top speed of 350 km/h, the 911 GT1 98 was the first Porsche racing car with an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre chassis.

On this unique display of Porsche models, Salman Jassem Al Darwish, Chairman and Chief Officer Executive of Al Boraq Automobiles Co. wll, commented: “We were extremely excited to have these icons of Porsche history in our showroom in Doha. Instead of a conventional exhibition limited to the Porsche Museum in Germany, the concept “Museum on Wheels” allows Porsche history to travel and be shared with Porsche enthusiasts all over the world.” He also highlighted that this special display reflects the Porsche values: a combination of an extraordinary tradition and great innovations.

2/13/2011